The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-22
THE BEEcHER-TILToN SCANDAL.
Denial of the Report that Mr.. Beach IL.
Iieved in the Preachers Innocence.

Denial of the Report that Mr.. Beach he.
Iieved in the Preachers Innocence.
New York Special.
Since the death of Henry Ward Beecher his
friends have given wide circulation to an alleged
utterance of the late William A. Beach, counsel
for Theodore Tilion in the famous suit against
the Plymouth pastor. Mr.. Beach is represented
firm believer in Mr.. Beechers innocence.
even while pleading the cause Of his enemy, and
is made to say:
1.-THE appearance and utterance of Mr.. Beecher
when he declared his innocence on the witness
stand were the most sublime and majestic exhi-
billions of human nature that | have ever seen.
l cannot understand how any one could resist
the impression of that solemn avowal. l felt
that we were a pack of hounds trying to drag
down a noble lion"
This statement has been published in many
newspapers friendly to Mr.. Beecher, and has
been varlously enlarged on iii numerous pull
pits.
To ascertain the truth of the matter. report
err to-day called upon ex-Judge Fullerton who
associated with William A. Beach in the
trial. and asked if he had anything to say in
reference to these statements In reply Judge
Fullerton said:
Il have seen the articles to which you call my.
attention. and have read them with great sur
prise. 1t is to be deeply regretted that any of
Mr.. Beecher's friends should be so imprudent as
to needleSsly revive controversy involving the
purity Of his life. If alone were affected by
the publication referred / would remain
silent, but the integrity of valued friend who
is not living is involved, and for that reason
alone consent to answer your inquiry. l was
associated with Mr. Beach during the trial of
the case referred to. which lasted nearly six
months and know well as | can know any
thing that he was strictly conscientious in charg-
ing guilt upon Mr.. Beecher. The professional
intimacy between Mr. Beach and myself, which
commenced long before the trial, rendered
closer by that long controversy, ana was fol-
lowed by one OF an intimate and social charac-
ter. which continued until the time of his death,
and never during the trial or since did he utter
word to me indicating that the opinion which
he formed during that controversy, and which he
so eoquently expressed before the jury, was in
any way shaken up to the time of his death One
of the prominent features in Mr. Beach's charac-
ter was his candor. He never practiced dissimula-
ton, and no one who knew him we'll could be in
duced to believe that he thought Mr.. Beecher
guiltless during that trial, or that he ever so
expressed himself afterward. Another state
ment also SAYS: / have been informed by re-
liable authority that every of Tilton's coun-
sci is now satisfied that the dead preacher was
guitless OF the charge brought against him.
The person making it is evidently an admirer Of
Mr.. Beecher, but very imprudent one. He
might have done service to mis- dead friend
without making it necessary for the living to
vindicate themselves. A simple inquiry upon
his part would have convinced him that this
reliable authority was not to be depended upon.
l do not wish to say more now. and think it
will be conceded that my forbearance shows
that l have more regard for Mr.. Beecher's
memory than his imprudent and overzeaious
friends who have made it necessary for me to
say what little have"